Tricky chase set for Iona
A fighting half-century to Harmanpreet Singh has helped boost Warragul to a defendable total.
Opting to bat first, the Gulls struggled to get going against the new ball as Jarryd Bain (3/29) and Chris Phelan ( 3/40) made early breakthroughs. Austin Williamson (28) put up some resistance along with Paul Singh (26 n.o.) helping the visitors to navigate 64 overs. Michael Scully kept things tight claiming 2/36.
In reply the home side got through the remaining three overs unscathed to finish day one in a good position.
Longwarry 107 vs Garfield Tynong 1/13 Longwarry face an uphill battle this weekend after they failed to fire on day one of their clash with Garfield/Tynong. To the Crows credit they kept the home side in the field for close to fifty overs, but it was a disappointing day for the batsmen with only three double figure scores recorded. Skipper Harry Stephens was the pick of them with 28. Raphael Hayward was the pick of the bowlers with the amazing figures of 3/4 off four overs including three maidens. Darren Vandenberge chimed in with 3/20 while James Francs gave the batsmen nothing claiming 2/18 with the new ball.
Hallora 144 vs Bunyip 2/11
Hallora enter day two of their contest just slightly ahead of Bunyip after a fantastic opening spell from Jake Dean saw him finish with 2/3 off just fiver overs. Earlier in the day a solid performance from the Kangas middle order helped the home side to a below par total.
Flynn Visser top scored with 24 receiving good support from Leigh Cook (22) and Daniel Sell (20). Adam Barton (2/31), Ben Stewart (2/21), and Ben Sharpe (2/32) all contributed early before Angus Emery tightened the screws to finish with 2/13 off eleven overs.
Division 6
Longwarry 45 def by Jindivick 7/244 (cc) Longwarry Cricket Club made history at the weekend with its all-women side taking to the field for the first time. Despite the result not going their way, the match was played in good spirits and from all reports was thoroughly enjoyed by all involved.
For Jindivick, opener Tim Jeffrey top scored with 61 retired while Brad Gnaden held together the middle order with 53 retired. Both batsmen were well supported by Dhylan Horsburgh (23) with Ash Zinnow (34) keeping the scorers busy late into the innings. Longwarry skipper Erin Maxwell was the pick of the bowlers with 2/25.
Ellinbank 56 def by Drouin 4/60
Drouin claimed the points over Ellinbank after a sensational spell from Gavin Mills left the Ellinbank batsmen bamboozled.
Mills returned the scarcely believable figures of seven overs six maidens 2/1 as the Eagles simply could not find a way to score off him. Keeping the pressure on from the other end Brad Cross chimed in with 3/7 off seven. Earlier on Ash Norton kicked things off for the Hawks snaring 3/27. Jaxon Notman contributed the bulk of the runs, striking four boundaries on the way to 20. In reply, Jason Helps tore into the visitor’s top order to finish with 3/12 off six overs however there simply were not enough runs on the board to defend. Cross capped off his day with 22 not out to be the pick of the batsmen.
Western Park 10/169 def Catani 10/168 Western Park has pulled a rabbit out of the hat to defeat Catani by the narrowest margin at the weekend.
Batting first the Warriors were in dire straits at 5/33 before Tom Wans and Jackson Payroli put on a game saving 56-run partnership. It was a case of opposites attract as Payroli (62) blew out the cobwebs with an incredible seven maximums while Wans (37) turned over the strike, waiting on the loose ball to strike six boundaries in a beautifully paced innings. Now back in the contest the home side kept the momentum going as the overs ticked down, finishing with a score around par.
In reply, the visitors were in control for most of the innings until Tom Fawcett was brought into the attack in the final overs. With a calmness belying his years Fawcett slowed the scoring with a five over spell that saw he claim 1/6 and included two vital maidens. At the other end, Raman Gautam came back into the attack after his opening spell saw him bowl three consecutive maidens. Entrusted with the final over, Gautam stuck at his nagging line and length and with the last ball of the innings claimed the final wicket. He finished with figures of 4/15 to be the pick of the bowlers.